Buddhism Plain & Simple

1. Reality is constant change and flux, not static objects

Everything we look at, including ourselves and every aspect of our lives, is nothing but change.

Constant flux. Reality is not made up of solid, unchanging objects, but is a continuous flow of change and transformation. Our conventional view of the world as consisting of separate, permanent things is an illusion created by our minds. In truth, everything - from our bodies and thoughts to mountains and galaxies - is in a constant state of flux, arising and passing away moment by moment.

Interdependence. Nothing exists in isolation; all phenomena are interconnected and mutually dependent. The Buddha called this "dependent arising" - when one thing arises, everything else arises with it. For example:

• Spring flowers depend on lengthening days
• Fall colors depend on shortening days
• This book depends on trees, sunlight, human knowledge, language, etc.

Understanding reality as flux and interdependence liberates us from the suffering caused by clinging to a false view of permanent, separate objects. It opens us to the vibrant aliveness of each moment.

2. The self is an illusion; there is no permanent, unchanging core

There is perception, but no perceiver. There is consciousness, but no self that can be located or identified.

No fixed self. The notion of a permanent, unchanging self or soul is an illusion that contradicts our direct experience. When we look closely, we cannot find any core "self" that remains constant over time. Our bodies, thoughts, and personalities are constantly changing. Even our sense of identity shifts depending on context.

The Buddha used the metaphor of a stream to describe human existence:

• We are not separate "corks" floating in a stream of time
• We are the stream itself - pure flow and change with no fixed essence

Realizing the illusion of self is profoundly liberating. It frees us from:

• Existential fears about death and non-existence
• The need to defend and aggrandize a non-existent ego
• Separation from others and the world around us

3. Suffering arises from clinging to concepts and resisting change

Duhkha—suffering, pain—is associated with choice. The more we fail to understand this, the more we'll be caught up in duhkha.

Clinging causes suffering. The root of human suffering (duhkha) is our tendency to cling to fixed concepts and resist the natural flow of change. We create mental models of reality and then become attached to them, causing distress when reality inevitably diverges from our expectations.

Common sources of clinging:

• Desire for permanent happiness and pleasure
• Aversion to pain and difficulty
• Belief in a separate, enduring self
• Fixed views about how things "should" be

Letting go brings freedom. The way out of suffering is to let go of our rigid concepts and flow with the ever-changing nature of reality. This doesn't mean becoming passive or indifferent. Rather, it means engaging fully with life while remaining flexible and open to change. By accepting impermanence and interconnectedness, we find a deeper sense of peace and freedom.

4. Right view means seeing things as they are, without conceptual overlays

Right view is fluid and flexible, constantly in motion. It's an awareness of how this moment has come to be.

Direct perception. Right view, the first aspect of the Buddha's Eightfold Path, means perceiving reality directly, without the distorting filter of concepts and beliefs. It's about seeing things as they actually are, rather than how we think they should be or how we've been conditioned to see them.

Key aspects of right view:

• Recognizing impermanence and interconnectedness
• Seeing beyond dualistic concepts (good/bad, self/other)
• Awareness of how our minds create suffering
• Understanding the Four Noble Truths

Practical wisdom. Right view is not abstract philosophy, but a practical way of engaging with life. It leads to greater clarity, compassion, and skillful action. By seeing clearly, we naturally act in ways that reduce suffering for ourselves and others.

5. Mindfulness and meditation cultivate direct awareness of the present moment

Meditation has nothing whatever to do with sitting or lying down.

Present moment awareness. Mindfulness and meditation are practices for cultivating direct awareness of our moment-to-moment experience. They train us to observe our bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions without getting caught up in them or trying to change them.

Key aspects of mindfulness practice:

• Focusing attention on the breath or other present-moment anchors
• Observing thoughts and feelings without judgment
• Returning gently to the present when the mind wanders
• Cultivating an attitude of openness and curiosity

Beyond formal practice. While seated meditation is valuable, the ultimate goal is to bring mindful awareness into every aspect of daily life. This allows us to respond to situations with clarity and wisdom, rather than reacting based on habitual patterns.

6. The middle way avoids extremes and embraces the interdependence of all things

The buddha-dharma is called the middle way because it rejects any extreme view, what the Buddha called "frozen views."

Avoiding extremes. The Buddha taught a middle way between the extremes of eternalism (belief in a permanent self) and nihilism (belief that nothing exists). This middle way recognizes the interdependence and ever-changing nature of all phenomena, without falling into either absolute existence or non-existence.

Examples of middle way thinking:

• Neither self nor no-self, but interdependent processes
• Neither determinism nor randomness, but conditioned arising
• Neither hedonism nor asceticism, but balanced living

Practical implications. The middle way is not just philosophy, but a guide for living. It encourages us to:

• Avoid rigid dogmas and ideologies
• Seek balance in our actions and lifestyle
• Recognize the complex, interconnected nature of issues
• Remain open to multiple perspectives

7. Freedom comes from letting go of fixed views and flowing with reality

Seeing doesn't require conception, language, or memory. "Herein," said the Buddha, "knowledge is not other-dependent." Herein lies freedom.

Liberation through seeing. True freedom comes not from controlling reality or achieving some perfect state, but from seeing things as they are and letting go of our fixed views and attachments. This doesn't mean becoming passive or indifferent, but rather engaging fully with life while remaining flexible and open.

Key aspects of this freedom:

• Letting go of the need to control outcomes
• Flowing with change rather than resisting it
• Responding to situations with wisdom and compassion
• Living in harmony with the interdependent nature of reality

A practical path. This freedom is not a distant goal, but something available in each moment. By cultivating mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion, we can gradually loosen the grip of our habitual patterns and experience greater ease and clarity in our lives.

Last updated: December 2, 2024